Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated the conditions Israel has set for ending the war following a lengthy conversation with the parents of hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, in light of the Hamas propaganda video of them released earlier on Friday, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
The prime minister iterated that the war can end immediately under the conditions Israel has set, including the release of all 48 hostages remaining in Gaza; the disarmament of Hamas; the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip; Israel being able to maintain security control over the Strip; and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration that does not pose a threat to Israel.
Netanyahu's office stressed that no propaganda video will weaken its resolve or divert the government from achieving these goals.
Many hostage families have repeatedly criticized the prime minister and his government for abandoning the hostages to be able to continue waging war against Hamas for political goals.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in response to the PMO's statement that anyone who "genuinely wants the hostages home should advance the agreement that is waiting for the Israeli government’s discussion and response, and leverage it toward a comprehensive deal for the return of all the hostages."
"Do not pave the way for the murder of more hostages," the forum warned. "You will no longer be able to say you didn’t know they were there. The chief of staff has already warned that the same objectives can be achieved with less risk to the hostages."
Hamas's propaganda video of Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel
Hamas released the video of Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel on its Telegram. In the video, Gilboa-Dalal can be seen hugging Ohel.
"Time is running out," Hamas wrote.
In the video, Gilboa-Dalal said he couldn't believe he was still alive after 22 months of war, and that he was being held in Gaza City.
Gilboa-Dalal stated that he and the remaining hostages would remain in Gaza City during the upcoming IDF operation, and that Hamas would move them to wherever the IDF operates.
The killed Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida had planned to attempt to block the IDF's invasion of Gaza City using psychological terror tactics involving the hostages, Channel 12 reported on Tuesday.
In this video, Gilboa-Dalal states that the date is August 28, indicating it may have been filmed just days before Obeida's death.
This is a developing story.